Bowling ball dust compartment



April 2, 1963 u. B. SEVAST 3,083,509

BOWLING BALL DUST COMPARTMENT Filed April 20, 1962 INVENTOR,

3,083,599 BOWLING BALL DUST COMPARTMENT Ulysses B. Sevast, 77? N. Evans Sta, Pottstown, Pa. Filed Apr. 29, 1%2, Ser. No. 139,164 1 Qiainr. (6%. 51-273) This invention relates to a means for eliminating fine rubber or plastic dust which results from the process of beveling and sanding out holes in bowling balls.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a dust compartment for use when sanding out or beveling holes in bowling balls whereby the danger of the operator inhaling the fine dust particles will be minimized or eliminated, and wherein the present invention will also permit the beveling and sanding out of the bowling ball finger holes to be accomplished in a more clean manner.

A further object is to provide a dust compartment for a bowling ball wherein the operators health will not be jeopardized by inhaling the fine dust particles, the present invention consisting of a vacuum attachment for use when beveling and sanding out holes after the holes have been drilled in the bowling balls.

Still another object is to provide such a dust compartment that is economical to manufacture and efficient in operation and which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent from a reading of the following specification and claims, together with the accompanying drawing wherein like parts are referred to and indicated by like reference characters and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view, with parts broken away and in section, illustrating the use of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken through the dust compartment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view thereof.

FIG. 4 is atop plan view thereof.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view, with parts broken away, showing the manner in which the present invention is used when beveling and sanding out holes in bowling balls.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates a bowling ball which has a hole 11 that has been drilled therein, and in FIG. 1 the numeral 12 indicates a vacuum tank for a purpose to be later described, and the vacuum tank 12 may be operated by a foot pedal 13. The numeral 14 indicates a table which is adapted to have a rest or support member 15 thereon, and the support member 15 may be recessed as at 16 for conveniently receiving and supporting the bowling ball 10 being worked on.

According to the present invention, there is provided a dust eliminator which is indicated generally by the numeral 17, and the dust eliminator 17 includes a body member 18 which generally has a shape corresponding to a truncated pyramid, and the body member 18 is shaped to include a horizontally disposed top wall 19 which has a central opening or aperture 20 therein for the projection therethrough of a portion of a conventional tool drive high speed drill 21, and the drill 21 is adapted to be used for rotating an element 22 which may be sandpaper that is used for sanding out or beveling the finger holes 11 in the bowling ball 10.

The body member 18 further includes a plurality of inclined side walls 23 which depend from the top wall 19 and which are secured thereto or formed integral therewith, and a horizontally disposed flange 24 extends inwardly from the lower edge portions of the side walls 23, and the flanged portion 24 is shaped to define or provide an enlarged circular recess or cut-out 28 which is adapted to snugly receive therein a portion of the bowling ball 10,

Patented Apr. 2, l dfi and for example as shown in FIG. 5. The numeral 25 indicates a yieldable ring member of generally circular formation which is mounted on the flange 24, and the hose or ring member 25 is adapted to snugly and tightly engage an outer portion of the bowling ball 1% being worked on.

The numeral 26 indicates a fitting which is formed integral with or secured to one of the side walls 23, and the fitting 26 communicates with the hollow interior of the body member 18, and the fitting 26 has one end of a hose or conduit 27 connected thereto, while the other end of the conduit 27 is connected to the vacuum tank 12, as for example as shown in FIG. 1.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a method of and means for eliminating dust in the process of sanding or beveling holes in bowling balls. In use, with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, when a hole such as the hole 11 is to be beveled or sanded as, for example, by means of the element 22, the parts are arranged as shown in the drawings, and it will be seen that the bowling ball 10 being worked on may be supported in a suitable cradle or support member such as the member 15 which may be arcuately grooved or recessed as at 16 to snugly receive and hold the bowling ball 10 therein. The present invention is adapted to be primarily used after the hole 11 has been drilled, and with the hose or conduit 27 having one end connected to the fitting 26, and with the other end of the hose 27 connected to the vacuum tank or unit 12, it will be seen that by stepping on the foot pedal 13, vacuum pressure will exert a vacuum action through the hose 27 so as to have a tendency to evacuate the interior of the hollow body member 13 whereby the dust or fine particles resulting from the sanding operation will be sucked out through the fitting 26 and then through the hose 27 into the vacuum tank 12. Thus, the person doing the sanding or beveling will be able to work in a more sanitary manner since there will be no dust particles flying around, and also the operator or workman will be able to work with increased safety and with less of a health hazard since the danger of fine dust particles being inhaled will be minimized or eliminated.

The dust compartment 17 consists of the body member 18 which has the opening 20 in the top wall 19, and the opening 20 is of a size so as to snugly receive therein the lower portion of a high speed drill 21 whereby there will be a snug fit between the drill 21 and the opening 20 so that dust particles will not inadvertently pass out through the space between the opening 2i? and the drill 21. Also, the yieldable ring or hose 25 serves to insure that there will be snug and tight engagement between the body member 18 and bowling ball 10 so that the dust particles will not accidentally or inadvertently escape in the wrong direction, and also the ring member 25 helps insure that the member 13 will be properly seated and maintained on the bowling ball during the process of working on the bowling ball.

The body member 18 is shaped to include the inclined side walls 23, and as shown in the drawings the body member 18 is generally of a truncated pyramidal shape and this configuration is important since it serves toinsure that the dust particles will have a tendency to be guided upwardly to be readily withdrawn or sucked up through the fitting 26 by the vacuum pressure.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in diiferent shapes or sizes.

While the present invention has been described and illustrated specifically for use in sanding and in beveling bowling ball holes, it is to be understood that the present invention can be used for other purposes as for example when other articles are being drilled or worked on in order to prevent dust from flying around.

The body member is of a shape and size so that it will accommodate or fit on bowling balls of different sizes.

Because bowling balls must meet the requirements of the American Bowling Congress as to the total weight, weight tolerances and circumference, the dust collector of the present invention can be used on any ball in the process of beveling and sanding of holes. The present invention will minimize the problem of fine dust caused by beveling and sanding of holes. Heretofore it has been customary to wear a nose and mouth mask and an apron for the operators clothing, but by using the dust compartment of the present invention such items are not needed. An important advantage of the present invention is that there is provided a safeguard for the operators health so that inhaling of the rubber or plastic dust will be prevented, and wherein a clean workshop will be maintained for better health and for improved appearance. Different types of vacuum tanks or units can be used in conjunction with the present invention as desired or required. v

In the drawings the numeral 21 indicates a portion of a high speed drill, and the numeral 11 indicates a thumb hole, and the numeral 22 indicates sandpaper, while the numeral 15 indicates a stand made of rubber or the like. It is to be noted that when the high speed drill and emery or sandpaper 22 is being used for beveling and sanding out the holes 11, particles of fine dust are sent out in all directions normally. The greatest fear of such an operation is the inhaling by the operator of such particles. In the complete operation of drilling of bowling balls this is the dirtiest part and it jeopardizes the operators health. With the dust compartment of the present invention these disadvantages or problems are eliminated and the present invention is especially suitable when beveling and sanding out balls after they have been drilled.

The dust compartment or member 18 is adapted to be placed on top of the ball with the vacuum tank 12 running before the beveling and sanding operation starts,

The dust is confined in this area and is drawn into the tank 12. The hose 27 from the tank to the dust compartment is detachable and the dust compartment can be made of a suitable material such as sheet metal, plastic, or can be die cast as desired, or required.

The member may consist of a small rubber hose which has been suitably slit or cut and set around the circumference of the opening 28 and this resilient member 25 serves the important purpose of eliminating any damage to the ball due to scratching or nicking. The

dust compartment of the present invention can be made and sold at a very low price. The pedal 13 may be an on and ofi type of pedal for controlling the vacuum mechanism.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of details coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

What is claimed is:

A dust eliminator for use while beveling and sanding out bowling ball finger and thumb holes, the bowling ball being positioned in engagement with a recessed support member, a hollow body member embodying a horizontally disposed top wall having a centrally disposed opening therein for the projection therethrough of a portion of a tool drive, and said tool drive having a snug fit in said opening, said body member further embodying a plurality of spaced apart inclined side walls which depend from the outer portion of said top wall, a horizontally disposed flange extending inwardly from the lower edge portions of said side walls, and said flange being provided with an enlarged central circular recess adapted to snugly receive therein a portion of the bowling ball, a hollow fitting connected to one of said side walls and said fitting communicating with the interior of said body member, a conduit connected to said fitting, a vacuum tank creating a vacuum pressure and connected to said conduit, 21 yieldable ring member of circular formation mounted on said flange for tightly engaging a portion of the bowling ball being sanded and beveled, and said body member having a truncated pyramidal shape so that dust particles will have a tendency to be guided upwardly to be readily withdrawn and sucked up and out through the fitting by the vacuum pressure.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,938,330 Hall Dec. 5, 1933 2,144,586 Kelley Jan. 17, 1939 2,879,035 Tilden Mar. 24, 1959 3,022,806 Johnston Feb. 27, 1962 3,033,298 Johnson May 8, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 679,585 Germany Aug. 9, 1939 188,628 Austria Jan. 25, 1958 568,869 Belgium July 15, 1958 

